Caught and fined: The fly-tipper who dumped rubbish next to a Washington primary school

The fly-tipper was seen dumping waste from a van, then onto a bonfire in the fields to the rear of North Avenue, next to George Washington Primary School in Concord.

Someone living in the area spotted the incident, and reported it to the council.

The Neighbourhoods Enforcement team investigated and tracked the offender to their home address.

The suspect was interviewed under caution and issued with a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice and educated in correct waste management.

The incident happened on November 5 2020 and has now been flagged up by council chiefs as a warning to others that the authority takes fly-tipping very seriously.

Cllr Len Lauchlan, chair of the Washington Area Committee, said: “I am very pleased that the Neighbourhoods Enforcement team have worked to track down the offender who illegally disposed of waste in our area.

“After Let’s Talk consultations, we decided it was a priority to listen to our community by tackling illegal waste disposal and environmental crime in our city.

"Sunderland City Council has invested in additional resources to ensure that our city remains a clean and safe place to live.

“We do not tolerate fly-tipping, littering, or illegal waste disposal of any kind. Where evidence is obtained action will be taken against offenders. I encourage anyone to report this activity to us on 0191 5205550 or online at www.sunderland.gov.uk/report-it.”

If the fixed penalty is not paid, the fly-tipper will be prosecuted for the original offence of Unlawful Deposit of Waste, which carries maximum penalties in a Magistrates court of a £50,000 fine and a year in prison; or an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison in Crown Court.

In December 2017, the Echo launched its Clean Streets campaign in response to readers’ concerns about the cleanliness of public spaces across the city.

Backed by Sunderland City Council, the campaign calls on the public to take pride in their community, and report any incidents of fly-tipping and littering.

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